USA: UTZ completes Golden Enterprises acquisition

UTZ , the US’s largest privately held snack food company, has announced that it has completed the acquisition of rival snack firm Golden Enterprises.

Golden Enterprises produces and markets snack products such as crips, tortilla chips, corn chips, fried pork skins, baked and fried cheese curls, onion rings, and puff corn snacks in the US, operating two manufacturing facilities – one in Birmingham, AL and the other in Ocala, FL. It also sells canned and jar dips, pretzels, peanut butter crackers, cheese crackers, dried meat products and nuts packaged by other manufacturers using the Golden Flake label.

Commenting on the deal, UTZ chief executive officer Dylan Lissette said: “We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Golden Flake. The two companies are very similar both in mission and values, and each has a team of dedicated associates. Golden Flake’s product line, market coverage, and manufacturing facilities blend well with Utz’s desire to expand and grow our markets in the south”.

Following the acquisition, Golden Enterprises will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary under the leadership of its current management team, UTZ added.